Els De Paepe is sa.global’s Chief People Officer, based in Ghent, Belgium. She brings over 20 years of global HR experience, with expertise in talent development, organizational culture, and driving change.
Prior to sa.global, Els held Chief People Officer roles in high tech and services organizations, where she built HR foundations and led global integrations. Els is passionate about the “Agile HR” mindset, prioritizing flexibility, co-creation, and adding real value to the employee experience rather than just implementing processes. At sa.global, she is focused on leading the people side of AI-driven transformation by fostering future-ready skills and a culture of forward momentum.
Outside of work, Els likes the cultural life of Ghent, be it attending concerts or dining with friends. She enjoys spending time with her daughter, a psychology student who is keenly interested in HR. To recharge, Els loves adventurous travel, hiking, and biking.